A few weeks ago, I shared information about the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA’s adoption event called Free Adoption Day. A number of readers have been asking, so I want to report back to let you know it was a huge success.

Excited people arrived before the shelter was open and lined up early to find their next family member. People came from all over to do their part and adopt. So many animals found forever homes that day — 152 to be exact.

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One dog named Izzie, now named Izzie-Bear, hit the jackpot with the Enriquez family or Monterey Park. Izzie, a 7-year-old pit bull-type dog, came into the shelter as an owner turn-in. Severely overweight, terrified, and missing her family, Izzie would hide at the back of the kennel and shake.

Knowing she was not doing well at the shelter, staff decided to put her in a foster home to see she would come out of her shell. She lost weight and excelled in her foster home.

Encouraged by her progress, it was decided that she should come back to the shelter to try to find a home on Free Adoption Day. Shelter volunteers spent the afternoon with Izzie outside of the kennel area so that she did not have to go back into a kennel. Hours passed and no one looked at her until the special moment when the Enriquez family walked in the shelter.

“She had them at hello,” they said.

The following is an excerpt from a letter that the family sent just one week after Free Adoption Day.

Dearest friends….

Izzie was an owner turn-in at the Pasadena Humane Society. She found a new home on Free Adoption Day. (Photo courtesy the Pasadena Humane Society)

A quick report on our Izzie-Bear

Thank you for the love, unconditional care and time you all give to such precious creatures every day. Each and every one we met will be in our hearts and prayers always. You are all such amazing people. We are grateful to you all.

Thank you for the time you took with Rosie and me on Friday, introducing us to our beautiful “Izzie-Bear,” all 60+ lbs of her, telling us her touching life story, her long journey…….Such special stories you all shared……you certainly took care of Izzie that afternoon, and both Rosie and I felt the love in your center.

I must say everything you shared about our beautiful Izzie is certainly true…and so much more. I cannot say this enough…we fit perfectly together…and feel so blessed. It’s as if Izzie has been a part of our family forever.

A special note…kinda, funny, too…she has had such a calming/peaceful vibe/effect for our household, it’s like an instant “therapy” fix for our over the top family, dogs and all…..we think she is really “Buddha” in a dog suit.

The strong, quiet presence/calm she has was instantly felt ……she somehow quiets the room with her simple/slow vibe….We’ve never experienced this before….so cool to watch everyone chill around her…I think, because of Izzie, we all just kinda “chill.”

For our family, you gave us the greatest gift, introducing us to our sweet “gentle giant” Izzie-Bear….her adoption has quickly changed our family dynamic — it’s always been good, but now so much more — forever (yes, only in a couple of days, amazing )….. she is everything you all shared with us and more with your individual & personal stories.

As I research and acquaint myself with American Staffordshire Bull Terriers (which she certainly, resembles in many points),., A simple statement I read sums her up, “her main job is to be loyal to her family, yet, is easy to just ‘be’ and become ‘off-duty quiet’…..and “just ok….to cozying up with Mom to take a nap/watch a movie.” Wow, so true!

One more share, please be assured, and comfortable knowing that our Izzie-Bear, once arriving “home,” quickly settled in with us…now, w/her favorite “blanky” in tow, her “teddy bear” to hold. She also, boldly, without hesitation, claimed our most comfy overstuffed-leather chair as hers……..and remains forever “parked” right near all the family action, in the family fun room, lovingly watching over all of us, her tail wagging, a gentle look in her beautiful eyes….Izzie is now receiving all the love, attention and care she so longed for….her forever family, and her forever home.

In an effort to find more loving homes for animals in their care, the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is having free cat adoptions this coming weekend, Friday, July 13 through Sunday, July 15. To view adoptable cats, visit pasadenahumane.org/cats.